The Quarterback carousal continued with longtime Atlanta Falcon, Matt Ryan being traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2022 3rd round pick. Here are the winners and losers of the trade.
Winners
Michael Pittman Jr.
MJP will have a quarterback that will not try to escape when he fears fake pressure. He will now have a quarterback that can sit back and sling it accurately. I expect Pittman to have that massive breakout many, like myself, expected going into 2021. For a guy that finished top 16 in 2021, the ceiling for him is now a top 5 guy.
Frank Reich
Not many head coaches get the opportunity to have their 5th starting quarterback in 5 years, but the Colts organization have shown that have complete faith in a coach that has missed the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 seasons.
Cordarelle Patterson
With no NFL quality starting quarterback on the roster, (Marcus Mariota is a good player, but not a starting caliber), the offense will yet again run through Patterson. In 2021, Patterson got overworked and it showed in the second half. I expect the Arthur Smith and the Falcons to pace their do everything guy a little more.
Losers
Kyle Pitts
I know it’s a boring take to say the receivers from the Falcons will suffer without Matt Ryan, but it is severly going to hurt Pitts. Despite his unworldly talent, the expectations for Pitts are sky high, and without the QB play I just don’t know how I can pay up for Pitts.
Baker Mayfield
Another team that does not want the dude. He was open about saying he wanted to go to Indy, and was yet again told, “You are not wanted”. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the former Heisman winner.
